President Goodluck Jonathan will leave Abuja on Wednesday(today) on a pilgrimage to Israel, spokesman Reuben Abati has said.
Mixing religion with politics and business, he will also meet with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and
members of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, and with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Abati said in a statement.
The statement did not indicate where he will meet with the Palestinian leader, or specify that Mr. Jonathan will visit the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“Talks between President Jonathan’s delegation and Israeli government officials are expected to focus on the enhancement of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel in areas including trade, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, communications, culture, education and tourism,” the statement said.

Mr. Jonathan will be accompanied on the trip by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina; the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe; the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen; the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof Viola Onwuliri; and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.  The statement said the President will “tour some locations in Israel which are revered by Christians because of their association with the earthly mission of Jesus Christ.”
Abati described as “a misrepresentation of facts” reports that President Jonathan is leading 19 state governors and about 30,000 Nigerians to Israel, although he might meet and interact with some other Nigerians who are already on the pilgrimage.

Sounding defensive, the spokesman said, “Irrespective of President Jonathan’s visit, thousands of Nigerians visit Israel annually during the pilgrimage season which goes on for months and they will undoubtedly do so again between now and early next year.
“It is entirely fortuitous for some of these Nigerian pilgrims therefore that their visit to Israel this year will coincide with President Jonathan’s.”
Mr. Jonathan will be leaving behind the tumult accompanying several troublesome corruption issues concerning his friend and Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, who is alleged to have used using a variety of means to enrich herself in the Ministry.

According to the statement, Mr. Jonathan is expected back in Abuja early next week

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